Hungary pushes to expose USAID financial aid

(MENAFN) Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that his government will push for transparency regarding U.S. aid to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and media outlets critical of his administration. Speaking on state radio, Orban emphasized the need to expose foreign networks, particularly U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) programs, which he claims interfere in Hungary's internal matters.

Orban referred to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to integrate USAID into the State Department as part of the "America First" agenda and equated foreign-funded organizations to "agents" undermining Hungary's sovereignty. He vowed that recipients of foreign funding would face legal consequences and be removed from the country.

To combat political interference, Hungary established the Sovereignty Protection Office in 2023, and foreign financing of political groups is now banned, with penalties of up to three years in prison. The European Commission launched an infringement procedure against Hungary for the law, arguing it could threaten democratic values.

Orban has a history of opposing foreign-backed organizations, especially those connected to Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros. His government previously passed the “Stop Soros” law and forced the closure of Soros’ Central European University. The European Union has withheld funding from Orban's government over concerns about democratic standards.

MENAFN10022025000045015687ID1109187650